COLUMN: Who to start, sit in fantasy

My readers may have noticed that my fantasy football columns are usually based on hindsight. This week, I'm taking a stab at making some predictions for the upcoming week.

So, who should you start, and who should sit out? Here's my take on the upcoming week of NFL fantasy football for the major offensive fantasy positions: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. (Note: obvious must-start players — the Marshawn Lynches and Dez Bryants of the worlds — won't be covered.)

Quarterbacks

• Start: Austin Davis, St. Louis Rams: Call me crazy, but I foresee a solid, if not spectacular, fantasy performance out of Austin Davis for the Rams' Monday Night Football matchup against the 49ers. The Southern Miss product is solidly secure in the starting gig, so he'll be focused solely on getting the win, not hanging on to the job. While it's a stretch to say he's a good start and quite a risk to put him in against the tough San Francisco defense (look what they did to poor Tony Romo in Week 1), the Rams may well be playing from behind again this week. Another late charge from their passing game is well within the realm of possibility. If you're hurting at QB, there are much worse things you could do than take a flier on Davis.

• Sit: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: I almost chose Tony Romo for this spot, since he'll be facing Seattle's 12th Man Sunday, but I think sitting him is too obvious. On the other hand, Cam Newton is being started in far more leagues (58.2 percent on NFL.com), and he's one I'd sit this week against Cincinnati. The Bengals are fourth best in fantasy against quarterbacks this season, and Newton's legs haven't served him as well as in years past (only 42 rushing yards so far this season). If you have other options, I'd say Superman should sit.

Running backs

• Start:Branden Oliver, San Diego Chargers: Oliver exploded onto the scene last week with a combined 182 yards and two touchdowns as he filled in for the injured Donald Brown. Keep in mind that Oliver was No. 4 on the Chargers' running back depth chart (injuries to Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and Brown leave him at the top), so don't go into Sunday expecting another huge performance. That said, the potential for good numbers against an awful Oakland defense is certainly there. With bye weeks in full swing, Oliver certainly merits a flex play in Week 6.

• Sit: Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons backfield has four guys — four — contributing on a regular, game-by-game basis. Jackson has yet to hit the 100 total yards mark in a game this year, so his only double-digit fantasy point games have come in the two games in which he found the end zone. If you have other options, Jackson is one I'd sit this week against a surprisingly stout Chicago run defense.

Wide receivers

• Start: Golden Tate, Detroit Lions: Tate enjoyed modest success lined up opposite a healthy Calvin Johnson, but he really stepped up when Megatron had to leave the Lions' game against the Bills with an ankle injury. The hobbled Johnson is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Minnesota, and even if he plays he almost certainly will be limited. And the Vikings are surrendering the ninth most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, according to NFL.com. That sounds like a winning combination for Tate in an offense that loves to pass.

• Sit: Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys: Williams has had a surprisingly solid season thus far in the 2014 campaign, lagging only a few fantasy points behind top Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant. But while Bryant is basically a must-start even against the Seattle Seahawks, Williams is far from a sure thing. It'll be tough to sit either receiver, but Williams is definitely the riskier play of the two.

Tight ends

• Start: Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans: There are not many players on the struggling Titans I'd recommend starting on your fantasy squad this week, but Delanie Walker is an exception. He's been a bit up-and-down this season, scoring single digit fantasy points every other week separated by nice performances against Dallas and Indianapolis. Walker is due for another big game after posting only 47 yards with no scores in Week 5, and it's all the more likely to happen against a simply awful Jacksonville Jaguars defense that's surrendering the second most fantasy points to tight ends this year. Bottom line: Walker needs to be in your lineup.

• Sit: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles: Ertz started 2014 with a bang but has done little since posting a season high 86 yards against the Colts in Week 2. So far he has as many fumbles as touchdowns this season (just one each), and he heads into a matchup against the Giants this weekend, who have allowed the second fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season, according to NFL.com. He's not the worst start at a thin position, but if I were an Ertz owner, I'd be searching for Plan B for Week 6.